[Amended 11-10-2020 by L.L. No. 4-2020; 7-15-2025 by L.L. No. 4-2025]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family properties in zoning districts where single-family dwellings are permitted, in order to provide the opportunity and encouragement for the creation of smaller rental housing units interspersed organically throughout the Town's residential districts. Further, it is the purpose of this section to allow the more efficient use of the Town's stock of dwellings and accessory buildings; to provide economic support for resident households; to protect and preserve property values; and to preserve the character and appearance of single-family neighborhoods.
B.
Permits required.
(1)
All accessory dwelling units require the issuance of a building permit.
(2)
All accessory dwelling units which receive a certificate of occupancy after August 1, 2025 require the issuance of an operating permit. The operating permit shall be renewed by the owner every three years or upon a change of ownership.
(3)
All detached ADUs require the issuance of a special permit by the Planning Board.
(4)
Where applicable, Westchester County Department of Health approval may be required for on-site sanitary (septic) systems.
C.
Standards and conditions.
(1)
No more than one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per lot may be permitted, nor shall the total number of dwelling units on any lot with an ADU exceed two.
(2)
The owner of the lot upon which the accessory dwelling unit is located shall occupy one of the dwelling units on the lot as their principal residence.
(3)
The permit(s) shall be issued to the owner of the lot. The owner/applicant shall be required to file on the subject property a declaration of covenants at the Westchester County Clerk's office prior to the issuance of a permit(s) for an accessory dwelling unit. This declaration shall be in favor of the Town of Cortlandt and shall state that:
(a)
The permit(s) for an accessory dwelling unit or any renewal of said permit(s) shall terminate upon the death of the owner or upon the transfer of title to said lot or upon the owner no longer occupying the lot as their principal residence.
(b)
Any new owner of the lot shall have to apply for a new operating permit to continue the accessory dwelling unit use.
(4)
Should there be a change in ownership, application(s) for new permit(s) shall be submitted to the Town of Cortlandt to continue the accessory dwelling unit use.
(5)
Dimensional requirements.
(a)
The accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 800 square feet of gross floor area or 40% of the existing gross floor area of the single-family dwelling on the same lot, whichever is less.
(b)
Maximum number of bedrooms in an accessory dwelling unit is two bedrooms.
(c)
All setbacks for a detached ADU, whether created via new construction or the conversion of an existing detached accessory structure, shall meet the minimum side and rear yard setbacks as required for the principal dwelling.
(d)
No detached accessory dwelling unit shall be located in a required front yard or corner lot side yard that faces the public street.
(e)
The maximum height of the structure containing a detached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed the height of the structure containing the principal residence on the lot.
(6)
Exterior appearance.
(a)
For an attached accessory dwelling unit, the entry to such unit and its design shall be such that, to the degree reasonably feasible, the appearance of the building will remain as a single-family dwelling.
(b)
For a detached accessory dwelling unit, the overall aesthetic of the accessory structure shall be in harmony with the single-family dwelling on the same lot.
(c)
Full-height exterior stairways accessing an upper floor of an accessory structure that is used, in whole or in part, as a detached accessory dwelling unit are prohibited.
(d)
All detached accessory dwelling units shall be sited in a fixed location on the lot.
(e)
Any new construction or alterations to existing structures related to the creation of a detached accessory dwelling unit shall be circulated to the Architectural Review Commission for an advisory opinion.
(8)
There shall be no renting of individual bedrooms within either the accessory dwelling unit or the single-family dwelling.
(9)
Transient (short-term) rental of the single-family dwelling and/or the accessory dwelling unit is prohibited (see § 281-2D).
(10)
Recreational vehicles, campers, camping trailers, and similar are prohibited from use as an accessory dwelling unit.
(11)
The accessory dwelling unit shall meet the standards of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.